Decent

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdiːsÉ™nt/

Origin

From Middle French décent, or its source, Latin decēns, present participle of decet ("it is fitting or suitable"), from Proto-Indo-European *deke-, from base *dek- ("to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable") (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν (dokein, "to appear, seem, think"), δέχεσθαι (dekhesthai, "to accept"); Sanskrit dacasyati ("shows honor, is gracious"), dacati ("makes offerings, bestows")). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

Full definition of decent

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
2. (of a person) Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
3. Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.
   Are you decent? May I come in?
4. Fair; good enough; okay.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter Foreword, A canister of flour from the kitchen had been thrown at the looking-glass and lay like trampled snow over the remains of a decent blue suit with the lining ripped out which lay on top of the ruin of a plastic wardrobe.
5. He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.
6. Significant; substantial.
   There are a decent number of references out there, if you can find them.
7. (obsolete) Comely; shapely; well-formed.
• A sable stole of cyprus lawn
  Over thy decent shoulders drawn — Milton.

Antonyms

• indecent

Related terms

• decency

Anagrams

• cedent